In Memoriam – David Neale

David Neale of Trinidad and Tobago passed away on 7
June 2011.

David Neale was a former Commission 4 Vice-Chair Administration
(2007-2010). Until his passing, he was an active member the
FIG/IHO/ICA International Board on Standards of Competence for
Hydrographic Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers (IBSC), and as
well the Chairman of RICS Caribbean (2009-2011). He was also a
part-time lecturer on Hydrography in the Department of Geomatics
Engineering and Land Management, Faculty of Engineering, University
of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.

Dr. David Neale of Trinidad and Tobago passed away on June 7, 2011. He
achieved much in his life: He was a former Commission 4 Vice-Chair
Administration (2007-2010). Until his passing, was an active member the
FIG/IHO/ICA International Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic
Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers (IBSC), and as well the Chairman of
RICS Caribbean (2009-2011). He was also a part-time lecturer on Hydrography
in the Department of Geomatics Engineering and Land Management, Faculty of
Engineering, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and
Tobago.

I've known David Neale, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, since 2002. I
first met him at the University of New Brunswick, Canada when I was still a
graduate student there. My first impression of him was of his easy-going
nature and smile - a true Caribbean man - and his deep knowledge of his
field of expertise (Hydrography). Always willing to help, David never
stopped contributing professionally to workshops, conferences, papers and
other publications, and other initiatives associated with the hydrographic
profession and FIG. For this he is well known. I have had the good fortune
to share many international FIG-related trips with David, and even shared a
room with him in Ghana in 2006, arriving there on my birthday. As usual he
was easy and pleasant company. As fate would have it, in 2007 I ended up
living and working in his native country. David was quick to orient me to
his country, taking me on local trips and introducing me at this home to his
family, and to his culture. We shared teaching loads at the University of
the West Indies, and he graciously offered his expertise to my students'
projects whenever asked, beyond the call of duty. The foregoing is a small
window into the life of a man whose life was full! Most importantly, he was
a good man who made me laugh - a lot! He is greatly missed!

International Federation of Surveyors, FIG, is a United Nations and World Bank recognized
non-governmental organization of national member associations
and covers the whole range of professional fields within the
global surveying community. It provides an international forum
for discussion and development aiming to promote professional
practice and standards.